Finding lung cancer when it’s most treatable

Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers. The American Cancer Society projects that roughly 1 in 5 cancer-related deaths will be caused by lung cancer in 2025. Over a lifetime, the chance of developing the disease is about 1 in 17 for men and 1 in 18 for women. And, if you’re thinking, “I don’t smoke, so these statistics don’t apply to me,” think again. One in 5 lung cancer deaths occur in people who never smoked.

“Staying away from tobacco is still the single best thing anyone can do to cut their risk,” says Dr. Alex Sun, a diagnostic radiologist affiliated with Sharp Grossmont Hospital. “But screening also saves lives, especially for people who have ever smoked.”

If you do smoke, low-dose computed tomography (CT) is one of the best tools for early lung cancer detection.

The power of low dose CT screening

A low dose CT scan is the most sensitive test for finding lung cancer early. This imaging procedure combines X-rays and computer technology.

Here’s how a low dose CT scan works:

• Advanced imaging captures detailed cross sectional “slices” of the lungs, spotting growths as small as a grain of rice far earlier than a chest X-ray can.

• The exam is painless and usually finishes in about ten minutes. You lie on a table that slides through a doughnut shaped scanner while it rotates around you.

Although the scan uses X-rays, the dose is low — about the same amount of natural background radiation most people receive over six months. For most eligible people, the benefit of early detection far outweighs this very small risk.

Who qualifies for yearly lung cancer screening?

Insurance will usually cover lung cancer screening once a year for beneficiaries if you meet the following criteria:

• You are age 50 through 80 years old (or between age 50 and 77 if on Medicare)

• You have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (this means 1 pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, and so on)

• You are a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years

If you smoke, getting a yearly low dose CT scan can catch lung cancer early, when treatment works best. Talk with your primary care doctor or pulmonologist if you are not sure about your pack-year total or whether screening is right for you. If you still smoke, quitting remains the most important step you can take for your lungs and overall health.

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